Page 52 - December 2019 FOP Magazine

A profile of a Lodge 7 Magazine sponsor
Paws for the Cause CMECU launches Lend-a-Paw to support officers’ best friends
n BY J.J. JAMES
Midwesterners tend to place a premium on family — coming together for holidays and spe- cial occasions, patronizing family-owned shops. For nearly a century, the Chicago Municipal Em- ployees Credit Union has reflected a similar sen- timent surrounding family. Now it’s expanding the definition.
The launch of Lend-a-Paw loans offers new and existing CMECU members, including all law enforcement personnel, the opportunity to plan for the unexpected costs associated with the fur- riest members of the family — their pets.
“I’ve always heard stories about people having to make real tough decisions with their pets, when they get an unexpected vet bill, or they’re facing fees,” says CMECU Business Develop- ment Specialist Chris McAuliffe. “We understand that pets are, many times, members of the family, and the owners want to be able to give them the best care possible.”
A not-for-profit alternative to big banking, CMECU always
has viewed its membership as an extended fami- ly — welcoming new members while meeting the varied, individual needs of existing ones.
“We have a pretty strong connection with our membership,” says McAuliffe. “Bank customers kind of come and go, but our members are mem- bers for decades. We turn our profits over to our members in the form of lower rates, lower fees and, we feel, better customer service.”
2019 marked an expansion for the CMECU family. Historically open to Chicago munici- pal workers only, this past year the credit union
opened its membership doors to all residents of the city of Chi- cago as well as Cook County. But clearly that shift isn’t the only familial expansion happening at CMECU.
The Lend-a-Paw program offers members assistance with vet bills, adoption fees, training and, as McAuliffe puts it, “ev- erything that goes along with being a responsible pet owner today.” Dog and cat lovers themselves, staff workers at CME- CU understand the often-unexpected costs that crop up for pet
52 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2019
CMECU now offers Lend-A-Paw Loans!
Lend-a-Paw Loans are designed to give pet-owners an alternative to paying high credit card rates to cover an emergency trip to the vet, professional training or other unexpected expenses.
Apply for up to $5,000, starting at 4.99% APR. CMECU Membership is open to ALL residents of Chicago and most of suburban Cook County.
Become a Member of CMECU today!
To join CMECU and apply for a Lend-A-Paw loan go to: www.cmecuonline.org or call 312.236.2326.